The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management, in academic association with the Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne in Switzerland, has announced the accreditation of a four-year Bachelor of Arts (Honors) in International Travel and Tourism Management degree and a two-year Associate of Arts in Business and Tourism degree.
The two new degree programs, the first of their kind ever to be introduced in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), were developed to meet the demand of one of the largest and fastest growing industries in the world, particularly in the Middle East.
According to Ron Hilvert, principal of Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management, at present one out of every thirteen jobs worldwide is tourism related. “The Middle East is the fastest growing tourism region in the world,” he said.
Hilvert added that the programs place an emphasis on managerial rather than on operational issues with an underlying philosophy that can be described as ‘Think Global Act Local’. “Striking the delicate balance between international tourism, travel and business management and the appreciation and preservation of cultural diversity, heritage and authenticity will be an integrated part of the curriculum.”
The degree courses begin in October 2003. Tuition costs are $240 per credit hour. The Bachelor of Arts (Honors) degree course requires a total of 126 credit hours. The Associate of Arts degree course requires a total of 69 credit hours.
The Jumeirah International properties group encompasses the Burj Al-Arab that has become a true icon and landmark for Dubai, the Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Emirates Towers Hotel, Offices and Shopping Boulevard, The Jumeirah Beach Club, The World Trade Center Hotel Dubai and Wild Wadi Water Park. In addition, the group opened The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management in summer 2001.
Jumeirah International has expanded outside the Middle East into London, taking over the management of The Carlton Tower and The Lowndes Hotel in London’s Belgravia in December 2001. Following on from Jumeirah International’s move into the UK, The Carlton Tower was included in the ‘Leading Hotels of the World’ handbook following Burj Al-Arab, Emirates Towers Hotel and The Jumeirah Beach Hotel.
The company’s latest expansion is the resort development Madinat Jumeirah. The 100-acre resort will offer an Arabian experience against the setting of a luxurious, multi-facility resort. Madinat Jumeirah will include two 300 room five star hotels and clusters of 340 rooms and suites. The first phase of the resort is scheduled to open in September 2003 followed by the second phase in autumn 2004. — (menareport.com)
© 2003 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
